MANILA – Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, the youngest son of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte, has garnered quite a following online in recent weeks.

And he does not understand why people are suddenly interested in him.

In an interview with The Philippine Star’s Irish Dizon, he said: “Tingnan mo nga ako. Ako ba 'yung tao na pag gumising, tumitingin sa salamin? After I towel my hair I go out of the house, that’s it. Wala akong pakialam.”

While he knows he is “somehow good-looking,” Baste is not one to brag or gloat about it.

“I know I’m somehow good-looking because my mom’s mestiza. I know I look different from the typical Filipino, but it doesn’t mean anything to me. Kaya nga nagugulat na lang ako, why everybody… Maybe it’s because my dad is [the presumptive president],” he said.

But to all the girls who have a huge crush on him, sorry, but Baste is no longer available.

According to Dizon’s article, Baste is currently in a relationship with his partner with whom he has a two-year-old son.

He was only 22 when he found out he was going to be a father for the first time. Although he felt “terrified” when he first learned about it, Baste knew he had to man up for his kid.

“Kasi lalake ako eh. I needed to do something. Ayaw ko naman umasa sa tatay ko. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanya na I can handle myself. But because I was still a student, tinanggap ko pa rin naman yung allowance ko sa kanya,” he said.

To be able to provide for his son, Baste put up a junk shop, which he still runs.

“Hindi kasi talaga ako magastos na tao. Okay na sa akin as long as I can save up for my kid. 'Yun lang,” he said.

Post-elections

Following his father’s landslide victory, Baste knows his life would change as well.

“If you ask me, I’d rather stay here in Davao or somewhere else,” he said. “If Papa asks me to do something, gagawin ko. Pero kung wala, I’ll just maintain what I was before, what I was doing before.”

But Baste is sure of one thing.

“The things that he said during the campaign, he will definitely do it and he’s going to do it for you. He’s not going to do it for himself. He’s going to do it for everybody including those voters who voted for the other candidates,” he said.

And as for those waiting for his father to mess up, Baste said sarcastically: “You’re just gonna have to wait for it. And when that happens, you’re just gonna have to clap your hands.”